Mass. man charged in parrot theft

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Police in western Massachusetts have charged a 52-year-old man with stealing a $600 parrot from a pet store, but the whereabouts of the bird remain a mystery.

Pittsfield police told The Berkshire Eagle that they arrested local resident Charles Williamson on felony larceny and animal cruelty charges Saturday. Officers say he walked out of a Petco Friday with the brightly colored Sun Conure and tried to sell it at several local businesses including two city bars.

But when officers caught up with Williamson on Saturday, they say he no longer had the bird.

Police say they're still looking for the parrot.

Williamson is in police custody and is expected to be arraigned in the local District Court on Monday. It's not clear if he has a lawyer.